Automatic fire-alarm and sprinkler system.



PATBNTBD OCT. 6, 1903.

F. K. LUDLOW. AUTOMATIC FIRE 'ALARM AND SPRINKLBB. S

YSTEM.

APPLIOTION PILEDEIAB.. 3, 1902.

NG MODEL.

UNITED i STAT-Es Patented October 6, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK KECK LUDLOW,

OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters i Application filed llaroh 3. 1902.

To all whom, it muy concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK KECK LUnLow, a citizen of the United States ot'America, and a resident of Cincinnati, 4in the county of Hamilton and State lof Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Fire-Alarm and Sprinkler Systems, of which the following isa specification.

This invention relates to certain improvements in automatic iiretelegraphs, and more especially in that class of such devices which are employed in connection with automatic sprinkler systems for transmitting an Aalarm to a central station in case of re; and the object of the invention is to provide .means adapted to be actuated by the sprinkler system for transmitting an intelligible signal to a central station in case of re or in case of other accidental discharge of the sprinkler, most damage in frequent cases being caused by water. Y

The invention consists in certain novel features of the construction, combination, and arrangements ofthe various parts of the improved tire-telegraph device, whereby certain important advantages are attained and the deviceV is made simpler, cheaper, and otherwise better adapted and made more convenient for use, all as will be hereinafter fully set forth. Y

The novel features of the invention will be carefully defined in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, which serve to illustrate my invention, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view showing a device embodying my improvements applied for use iu connection with a sprinkler system, and Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken axially through the valve forming part of the controllingA means for the device. Fig. 3 is a partial sectional view similar to Fig. 2, but showing the valve` in raised position. Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken through the diaphragm forming part of the controlling means for the device. v

As shown in the views, l indicates the pipes of the automatic sprinkler system arranged upon the different doors of aV building and which may be of any preferred kind.

2 represents a cylindrical shell or valve-casing having its upper and lower ends closed by screw-caps 3 and 5, respectively, theupper cap 3 being formed with abore or passage Patent No, 740,450, dated. cacher e, 190s.

Serial No. 963489. (No model.)

4, affording communication between the in'- terior of the shell 'or casing and the passage of the pipe system 1, and the lower cap 5-being formed with a passage 6, aording an outlet for said shell or casing, as will be herein-` after explained. Packin g-rin gs 7 are arranged at the upper and lower ends of the shell or casing to form a close joint with the caps 3 and 5.

8 indicates a partition extended across the interior of the shell or casing 2 and serving to divide said interior into upper andV lower compartments orrchambers 9 and 10, respectively,` and 1l' represents a valve-stem arranged axially within the shellor casing and adapted to play lvertically through a central opeuingin the partition 8. Said partition 8 has upon its under side an annular depending iauge or boss 12, exteriorly screw-threaded to receive a screw-cap'1-3, whereby astutingbox is formed to preventleakage between the chambers or compartments 9 and 10 of the shell or casing around the valve-stem.

The lower end of the valve-stem 1l is made in reduced diameter and'carries a valve 14, adapted when the stem is moved downward within the shell or easing to seat itself upon a valve-seat Y15 at Ythe door of the said shell or casing and encircling the outlet-passage 6, as shown in Fig. 2, whereby the said outletpassage is `kept closed` When the valvestem 11 is moved upward Within the shell or casing to the position shown in Fig. 3, the said outlet-passage 6 is of course opened, so asl to provide a free and unobstructed exit from the interiorof the shell or casing. A nut 16, held on the screw-threaded and reduced lower end of the valve-stem 11, serves to hold the valve 14 in place thereon.

The upper end of the valve-stem 11 is extended soas to project, when saidstern is in its lowest position, above the partition 8, as indicated in Fig. 2, and is alsolscrew-th'readed to receive la screw-collar 17, angel around Aits upper part, above which collar is held on said stem a valve 20, the edge ,portions 21 of which are upwardly bentand adapted to fit snugly within the chamber or compartment.

11 carries a disk 18 and a nut 19, serving to shown in Fig. 3, and thereby a free annular passage 23 is formed within the shell or casing 2 and around the valve-stem for the upward passage of water within the shell or casing. To limit the vertical movement of the` valve-stein 11, the lower end of said stem above the valve 14 is formed with an ex- 'ternal screw-thread to receive a collar 24,

which by engagement against the underside of the stufng-box cap 13 arrests the upward play of the valve-stem. be adjusted along the stem by reason of the spiral nature of the screw-threads thereof, and in this way the valve-stem may be permitted to play farther or less far in an upward direction in the shell or casing 2.

26 represents a water supply pipe connected with the main water-supply pipe 2 of the sprinkler system and connected with a water-inlet 25, opening into that portion of the upper chamber or compartment 9 which.

is between the valve-seat 22 and the partition 8, and 27 indicates a port leading from thel upper part of the chamber or compartment 9 and above the valve 2O when thel valve-stem is in lowered position, said port 27 being connected by a coupling 28 with an air-pipe 29, to be hereinafter referred to.

30 indicates a port leading into the cham-y ber or compartment 10 at the base of the shellor casing 2, said port 30 being also con-l nected by a coupling 28 with said ai r-pipe 29.

The air-pipe 29 is connected with the interior of a shell or casing formed of two flanged parts 31 and 32, between which are held thek edges of a diaphragm 33, of rubber or equivalent elastic material, said diaphragm being extended across the interior of the said shell or casing and being adapted to be pressed upwardly, as shown in Fig. 4, by the tension of the air within the hollow of the shell or casing below the diaphragm, which air is sup.

plied under pressure by way of the air-pipe 29. Above the diaphragm is a head or disk 34, held on the lower end of a stem 35, adapted to play vertically in a passage formed in an upward extension or sleeve 36 of the upper member 32 of the shell or casing, the upper extremity of said stem having a flattened head or enlargement 37, upon which is'engaged'a bent and rounded spring 38, extended down from the under side of a lever 39, pivoted on an upright arm 40 at one side of the shell or casing, the opposite or free end of said lever 39 being provided with a segmentshaped part 41, the outer convex face of which is adapted for contact with the upper bent end The said collar may 43 of a contact-arm 44, suitably supported adjacent to the shell or casing. The convex face of the segmental part 4l of lever 39 is also provided with notches or recesses 42, adapted as the said part 41 is moved past the contact-arm to break the contact with said arm 44.

With the contact-arm 44 is connected one wire or conductor 45 of an electric circuit which includes a generator and an annunciator 47 of any preferred kind, this latter being arranged at the central station at which the intelligible signal or alarm is to begiven. The other terminal of said electric circuit is formed of a wire or cond uctor 46, connected with the lever 39, through which the current flows to the contact-arm 44 and wire-l5, as'

will be readily understood.

In automatic sprinkler systems as ordinarily constructed the pipes of which the system is composed are normally filled with compressed air, which acts by its superior tension or pressure to prevent the entry of water through the pipe 26a into the pipes of the system from a water-supply pipe with which the system is also connected.

In .the operation of the device constructed according to my invention the superior airpressure within the system l of pipes is also exerted Within the upper part of the upper chamber or compartment 9 of the shell or casing 2 and serves to hold the valve 2O normally pressed downward upon its seat 22, so that the water from the water-supply pipe 26 cannot rise above said valve 20. Said air-pressure is also exerted through the upper airport 27, which in this position of valve 2O is left free, as shown in Fig. 2, and through the air-pipe 29 underneath the diaphragm 33, so that the stem 35 is kept normally pressed upward above the diaphragm shell or casing,

as shown in Fig. 4,so that the lever 39 is sup-` ported with the notched portion of its segment 41 above the bent end of the contactarm 44. The escape of air from the pipe 29 in this position of the parts is prevented by vthe valve 14, which when the valve 20, with its stem 11, is moved downward seats itself upon the valve-seat 15 and closes the outletpassage 6, so that no air is permitted to escape from the pipe 29 through the coupling 23 and port 30. Each horizontal pipe is provided with a sprinkler having a fusible plug. In case of re these plugs are fused and the IOO air-pressure within the pipe system is immep diately lessened, so that it becomes inferior to the pressure exerted beneath the valve 20 by the water from the supply-pipe 26, whereupon the superior water-pressure is exerted to lift said valve off its seat 22, opening the annular passage 23 and causing said valve, together with its stem 11, to move upward VWithin. the casing until the stop collar 24 comes into engagement with the stuffing-box cap 13 and prevents further movement of the parts. As the valve 2O is lifted in thisV way its upwardly-directed side walls 21 travel up ber or compartment 9 through the air-pipe 29.

into the chamber of the diaphragm casing or shell. The valve 14 at the lower end of the stem 1l is likewise lifted od of its seat l5 when the valve 2O is moved upward, so that the outlet 6 is freed and the excess of airpressure within the pipe 29 and in the chamber below the diaphragm is immediately relieved, and said diaphragm is permitted to fall either by its own elasticity or by reason of the weight of the parts exerted thereon,

the segment-shaped portion 41 of lever 39Y falling down to cause the upper bent end of the contact-arm 44 to traverse the convex surface of the same, whereby the circuit including the annunciator 47 is opened and closed to transmit an intelligible signal or call to the central station, at which said annunciator is located. As the valve 20 ismoved upward by the pressure of the water-supply exerted beneath it the stop-collar 24 on the valve-stem l1 will come into engagement with the under side of the stuilng-box cap 13, so as to stop and prevent any farther movement of said valve upwardly and to hold the port 27, leading` from the chamber or compartment 9 to the air-pipe 29, closed, so that no pressure may be exerted beneath the diaphragm '33 to maintain the same in raised poln this way it will be seen that the sition.

' call or alarm is transmitted to the central station immediately upon the fall of the airpressure in the sprinkler system below the predetermined point and its transmission is not liable to be delayed in case the air-pressure falls very slowly. As soon as the air- -pressure falls below the water-pressurethe type of sprinkler system, and it will also be obvious that the device is capable of considerable modiilcation without material departure from the principles and spirit of the invention, and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise form and arrangement of the several parts of the device as herein set forth.

My improvement permits of the arranging of a number ot' signals in a single'electric circuit, therebyv connecting a series of signals (which may 0r may not be located) in dierent houses directly with the central ottice.'

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-a 1. The combination of-an electriccircuitincluding an annunciator,a sprinkler system,

a valve-casing in communication with saidv lof February,

system, a second casing in communication with said valve-casing, a diaphragm in said last-nam ed casing, said diaphragm being normally under pressure from the said system, a valve slidably mounted in the said valvecasing, means whereby the said valve is actuated by the water to cut off the air-pressure from the said diaphragm, means for exhausting the air from the said diaphragmcasing, and means actuated by the said diaphragm for breaking and making the said circuit. v v

2. The combination with a sprinkler system, of a casing normally iu communication therewith, a suitably-mounted valve for shutting olf communication between the said casing and sprinkler system,an electric circuitincluding an annunciator,a member movably mounted in the said casing and actuated by pressure from the said system, means for exhaustin g the air from said casing, a stationary arm, and a movable arm included in said circuit, said movable arm having its free end enlarged and providedwith aseries of notches, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

,3. The combination with the sprinkler system,of a valve-casing in comm unication'therewith, a second casing normally in communication with the said valve-casing and the sprinkler system, a valve arranged in the said first-named casing, an alarm, means arranged inthe said last-named casing and-actuated by the pressure therein for controlling the alarm, and means whereby as the pressure in the said sprinkler system is decreased the water will actuate the said valve thereby cutting od the communication between the said sprinkler system and last-named casing, and a second valve actuated by said first-named valve for permitting the air in the last-named casing to exhaust. A Y

4.A The combination with the sprinkler system, containing air underpressure, of a valvecasiug in communication therewith, a watersupply in communication with both the sprinkler system and the said valve-casing, a valve arranged in the said casing andv normally actuated by the pressure from the sprinkler system, a second casing normally in communication with the said valve-casing and sprinkler system, a means arranged in the said last-named casing controlled by the pressure from the sprinkler system, an alarm controlled by the said last-named means, and an exhaust-port for the said last-named casing controlled .by the said valve, whereby asthe said air-pressure is decreased the water will cut off the communication between the said system and second-named casing and open the exhaust-port thereof, substantially as described.

Signed at Cincinnati, Ohio, this 26th day 1902. FRANK KECK LUDLOW.- i

Y Witnesses: f A

JOHN ELIAs JONES, L.v M. JONES.

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